Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-06-18
BONES OF FRANCISCO PIzARRo.
They Lie ON q Moldy Shelf Under . Fins
Old Cathedral In Lima.

They Lie ON Moldy Shelf Under Fine
Old Cathedral In Lima.
The interior of this cathedral Is di-
vided lengthwise into seven spaces or
aisles-those next either wall being
rallied off as chapels, about thirteen IN
all, wherein are the affairs, the shrines,
the pictures, and the statuary, says .
correspondent of the Argoaaalt, writ
ing of an old cathedral in Lima, Peru
The roof is supported by series OF
arches resting against the side walls
and upon the columns The choir Is
partitioned off by itself in the middle
building, containing the singers, the
instruments, and the wonderful organ.
Beyond the choir is the glittering
chancel, with its jewels and pictures
and burning candles; with its costly
hangings of silken and velvet draperies,
their folds fastened to the roof-l75
feet above-while their gaudy fringe
brushes the adobe floor; and with the
lecterns, the seats for the priests, and
the bishops throne. Midway between
the chancel and the choir, set against q
massive column, about fifteen feet from
the floor, and reached by . narrow
stairway, is the richly carved pulpit
supported by a solid pillar of pure
silver five inches in diameter. When it
is further considered that the other
interior details are worked out with
minute elaboration and delicacy-wit-
ness the wonderful carving in rich
woods, in marble, and in bronze; the
windows of rare stained glass, and the
walls and ceiling most beautifully fres-
coed with scenes depicting memorable
events in scripture-possibl q strong
imagination may body forth something
of this great cathedral
A celebrated painting by Monteros,
representing "The Obsequies of Alta
hualpa," held place of honor here for
many years, being esteemed by
Limenos as something sacred. It was
stolen by the Chilians and sent to San
tiago. There is little left now of the
beautiful sculpture and statuary from
the hands of the noted Ayacucho
sculptor, Medina, whose works excited
so much admiration during the expo
sition, all of them having been sent to
Chill. Before the late war this cathe-
dral was one of the richest in gold and
silver decorations and ornaments in the
world. Built in the sixteenth century
-Pizarro's old cathedral having been
RACED to the ground-it was enlarged,
enriched, and adorned during the sub
sequent centuries until the fatal year of
1879, when Peru became involved in
the disastrous conflict with Chill. It
was literally massive store-house of
precious metals and gems-a second
Temple of the Sun, and a magnificent
prize for the needy Chilians Upon the
occupation of Lime in 1881 it was the
first place levied upon, being stripped
entirely of it's richest treasures, the
silver pillar supporting the pulpit ex-
cepted, that object of cupidity being so
firmly fixed as to defy all attempt at
removal, and accordingly it was reluc-
family suffered to remain. Another act
of these marauders was to despoil the
greater portion of Lima's famous
National ibrary-the building is sit
uated one square to the eastward of the
cathedral-which contained many
thousands of rare old, volumes and
This was q most das-
tardly proceeding, and is only par
alleled by the destruction of the
Alexandrine library by the fanatical
followers of Mahomet many centuries
ago.
In the catacombs beneath are the
embalmed remains of the great Fran
ciso Pizarro, transferred from the old
cathedral in the year 1907. They lie on
q moldy shelf beside the body of the
good Viceroy Mendoza. His bones are
fast crumbling to dust, and the few re-
naming pieces of skin which yet cling
to them, dry and withered as they are,
are fast disappearing under the inroads
of those lunatics-at-large- relic hunters.